Below is a final report from last semester. Please note that this report still needs editingand that I have formatted it for a wiki page. It can, however, give you an overall view of what a report should look like.
We will be editing this example in class. Some areas that need work are:
executive summary - break up the long single paragraph; make the recommendations consistent with the summary
consistent point of view - the use of "your"
parallelism in topic headings
explanatory information for attachments
Click on the PDF below to see an example of a somewhat longer client centered professional report from Forester.
Executive Summary
Businesses use smart phones on a daily basis to communicate with their employees locally and abroad. There are particular steps a business person must take in order to use their cell phone abroad that they might not realize that take time and cost money. First, businesses that operate in an international market need to know the difference between the signals cell phones use in the United States and signals cell phones use abroad. Phones that run on the CDMA system, typically in the United States, have serial numbers that are connected directly to the actual phone. Cell phones that use the GSM system, typically in Europe, have their serial numbers and information connected directly to a SIM card that can be switched from phone to phone. This gives businesses more choices on how to communicate with someone abroad. Other choices include renting an international phone, using a currently owned phone and switching to an international plan, or buying a SIM card from a particular country and using it. Google Android, an open source operating system and the applications it uses helps business communicate with employees and clients abroad easier at a lower cost. Cell phones that use the Google Android system can be found on almost every network in the United States and should be used by businesses who operate in the international market.
Introduction: Cell Phone Use Abroad
Businesses use smart phones on a daily basis to communicate with their employees locally and abroad. There are particular steps a business person must take in order to use their cell phone abroad that they might not realize that take time and cost money. Making these processes easier while, cutting costs will be very beneficial to businesses.
81% of global executives say they are connected to work through mobile devices all of the time.--Korn/Ferry International, August 2006 (Entrepreneur, 2009)
The number of global mobile phone subscribers is expected to grow from two billion in 2005 to approximately 3.3 billion in 2010 --Market Intelligence Center, May 2006 (Entrepreneur, 2009)
How the European GSM System is Different from the U.S. CDMA System
The United States and Europe use different network systems. According to R. Kayne, CDMA system was created by Qualcomm and is the dominant system in the United States and in areas of Asia. The GSM system was created by The GSM Association which is an international organization that was founded in 1987. The CDMA and GSM systems are both working their ways into the opposite market, giving users more choices on what phones to use (2009). The biggest difference between the two systems is that the GSM system phones use SIM cards that carry all the data and allows users to switch from phone to phone. The carriers do not care what phone you are using, as long as you are using the same SIM card. Carriers that use the CDMA system, on the other hand, use proprietary handsets that are not card compatible so if you want to upgrade your phone or change to a different one, the user has to de-activate the old phone and choose from the phones under their network (Kayne, 2009). They do not have the ability to choose from phones outside of their network.
There are four different types of GSM signals. “Of the four—850, 900, 1800, and 1900—only 850 and 1900 are used in the United States.” (CNET’s Quick Guide, 2009). In order to have a phone that will work in as many countries as possible, it is important to have GSM phone is triband (GSM 900/1800/1900) or quadband (150/900/1800/1900). (Finding a Global Phone 2009)
The SIM Card and How to “Unlock” You Phone for International Use
A SIM card (subscriber information module) has a unique serial number and is what holds all of your information; it identifies you with your wireless provider. It is a removable card that allows the user to switch phones whenever they please (The Travel Insider, 2009). Any SIM card can work with any GSM phone. While abroad, you can buy SIM cards from the country you are in, giving you a local phone number and possibly making it cheaper to make international calls (Costello, 2009).
GSM phones can be bought through any wireless provider is the United States. Typically when one buys these phones, the SIM cards are locked so they only work with phones issued by your provider. One can “unlock” their phone so it can work with any SIM card, even SIM cards that are bought abroad (The Travel Insider, 2009). Every cell phone provider has different rules for unlocking their phone. Globally compatible phones through Verizon can be unlocked by calling the global customer service center to receive instructions on how to do it. There are also different companies that charge to unlock cell phones (Segan, 2006). (See Attachment 1).
Options for International Calling and Data
There are many different options to choose from when using a cell phone abroad. Some of these options include:
Using Your Own Cell Phone with an International Calling Plan
Most major U.S. phone companies give the option of choosing an international plan that can be used on an ongoing basis or intermittently (Costello, 2009). Each company has different plans for different prices that work with different phone models in different countries. “Major cell phone providers have coverage maps that show in which countries your network works (Costello, 2009). Switching to an international call plan can be pricey and can add extra roaming charges which are typically charged by the minute. (See Attachment 2).
Renting a Cell Phone
The option of renting an international cell phone is also available. The phone will have a local number to the country you are going to and can be rented online on sites such as CellularAbroad.com or TracelCell.com (Costello, 2009). (See Attachment 3). The rented phone can be very expensive and rates are required to be paid either daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the phone. Additional rates apply for calling minutes. Incoming calls to the rented phone will be cheaper than calling out, meaning there will be a minimum renting fee, even if the phone is never used (Costello, 2009). These phones might not have the capability to send and receive documents or email, so this might not be right choice for a business to use for employees traveling abroad.
Using Your Own Phone with an International SIM Card
If using a GSM compatible cell phone, SIM cards can be purchased in the country one is in. This gives all the benefits of having a local phone. It gives low costing calling rates and a local phone number without having to pay for an entirely new phone (Costello, 2009). Incoming calls are typically free and the minutes used are rechargeable. Depending on the country, calling to the United States might be expensive, but one has the benefit of using their own phone with their own email and ability to send and receive documents. An international data plan may be necessary to send and receive emails and use the internet, on top of paying for the local SIM card.
How Google Android and Google Voice Can Help Solve the International Calling Problem
Google Android is an open source mobile operating system that is owned by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. The Open Handset Alliance is “a consortium of 47 hardware, software, and telecom companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.” (Wikipedia, 2009). Being an open source, Android allows developers to write and manage code as they please. It also allows different networks to use the operating system, so no matter what network you are on, you can choose to have an Android phone. Being on almost every network in the United States helps businesses cut the costs they would incur if they had to switch to another network to take advantage of a phone with the Android operating system. Android gives businesses the ability to customize applications to help their business run more smoothly and make it easier to transfer documents and messages while someone is abroad. There are several applications already on the Android system that help increase communication overseas as a cheaper price.
Truphone
Truphone is one of these applications. Truphone for Android allows customers to make calls through “an all-in-one conversations hub that allows customers to take advantage of Truphone’s low international call rates” (Truphone, 2009). When using the Truphone application, the call goes through a GSM local phone call to the Truphone gateway where the phone call is then routed through the Truphone network. In addition, Truphone allows customers to make voice calls to Google Talk and Skype and also use instant messaging to talk to people across different networks (Truphone, 2009). This application is very practical for the international traveler who needs to communicate regularly with someone outside of the country.
Google Voice
Google Voice was created by two members of the Google Mobile team who needed a more practical way of using more than one phone at the same time. Some businesses require the use of a business phone and a personal phone. It is a hassle to deal with both of them, especially while traveling. Google Voice solves this problem by connecting every device with one phone number. It “brings voicemail transcriptions, the ability to call and text with your Voice number, and cheap international dialing to your mobile phone” (Google Mobile Blog, 2009).
Recommendations It is important for clients of Proximity who operate in an international market to know that using a cell phone abroad is not always an easy process and it takes time and money to be able to do so. There are different choices businesses have to choose from in order to communicate with employees and clients abroad.
Using your own cell phone with an international calling pla
Renting a cell phone
Using your own cell phone with an international SIM card
Some of these choices are better than others for businesses to be able to send and receive documents and information efficiently while abroad.
Although Google Android is a new addition to the mobile sector, this report recommends that clients of Proximity who operate in an international market choose a cell phone that has this operating system. Even though businesses might have to go through some of the same steps to get these phones working abroad, phones with Google Android can help businesses cut costs and have the ability to send and receive documents easily overseas. Google Android gives business the ability to:
Customize application to fit their business.
Communicate with employees and clients overseas at a minimal rate.
Use applications that help send information and documents easily back and forth over several networks.
Cut the cost of switching to another network to use this phone since it is on virtually every network.
Google Android phones are new to the market but are capable of making cell phone use abroad much easier for businesses. Attachment 1: Unlocking Shops These are examples of companies that charge to unlock cell phones.
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=63
Attachment 2: Roaming Charges
Here are few examples of roaming charges per minute, by country, for VerizonWireless.
Below is a final report from last semester. Please note that this report still needs editing and that I have formatted it for a wiki page. It can, however, give you an overall view of what a report should look like.
We will be editing this example in class. Some areas that need work are:
Click on the PDF below to see an example of a somewhat longer client centered professional report from Forester.
proximity
a next generation connection
Proximity Research Report
Making International Cell Phone Use Easier for Businesses
A Guide to Using Cell Phones Abroad
By _
Fall 2009
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction: Cell Phone Use Abroad
How the European GSM System is Different from the U.S. CDMA System
The SIM Card and How to “Unlock” Your Phone for International Use
Options for International Calling and Data
How Google Android and Google Voice can make International Calling Easier
Recommendations
Attachment 1: Unlocking Shops
Attachment 2: Roaming Charges
Attachment 3: Renting a Cell Phone
References
Executive Summary
Businesses use smart phones on a daily basis to communicate with their employees locally and abroad. There are particular steps a business person must take in order to use their cell phone abroad that they might not realize that take time and cost money. First, businesses that operate in an international market need to know the difference between the signals cell phones use in the United States and signals cell phones use abroad. Phones that run on the CDMA system, typically in the United States, have serial numbers that are connected directly to the actual phone. Cell phones that use the GSM system, typically in Europe, have their serial numbers and information connected directly to a SIM card that can be switched from phone to phone. This gives businesses more choices on how to communicate with someone abroad. Other choices include renting an international phone, using a currently owned phone and switching to an international plan, or buying a SIM card from a particular country and using it. Google Android, an open source operating system and the applications it uses helps business communicate with employees and clients abroad easier at a lower cost. Cell phones that use the Google Android system can be found on almost every network in the United States and should be used by businesses who operate in the international market.
Introduction: Cell Phone Use Abroad
Businesses use smart phones on a daily basis to communicate with their employees locally and abroad. There are particular steps a business person must take in order to use their cell phone abroad that they might not realize that take time and cost money. Making these processes easier while, cutting costs will be very beneficial to businesses.
How the European GSM System is Different from the U.S. CDMA System
The United States and Europe use different network systems. According to R. Kayne, CDMA system was created by Qualcomm and is the dominant system in the United States and in areas of Asia. The GSM system was created by The GSM Association which is an international organization that was founded in 1987. The CDMA and GSM systems are both working their ways into the opposite market, giving users more choices on what phones to use (2009). The biggest difference between the two systems is that the GSM system phones use SIM cards that carry all the data and allows users to switch from phone to phone. The carriers do not care what phone you are using, as long as you are using the same SIM card. Carriers that use the CDMA system, on the other hand, use proprietary handsets that are not card compatible so if you want to upgrade your phone or change to a different one, the user has to de-activate the old phone and choose from the phones under their network (Kayne, 2009). They do not have the ability to choose from phones outside of their network.
There are four different types of GSM signals. “Of the four—850, 900, 1800, and 1900—only 850 and 1900 are used in the United States.” (CNET’s Quick Guide, 2009). In order to have a phone that will work in as many countries as possible, it is important to have GSM phone is triband (GSM 900/1800/1900) or quadband (150/900/1800/1900). (Finding a Global Phone 2009)
Source: ePathChina (http://www.blog.epathchina.com/2009/07/26/cell-phones-working-with-gsm-network/)
The SIM Card and How to “Unlock” You Phone for International Use
A SIM card (subscriber information module) has a unique serial number and is what holds all of your information; it identifies you with your wireless provider. It is a removable card that allows the user to switch phones whenever they please (The Travel Insider, 2009). Any SIM card can work with any GSM phone. While abroad, you can buy SIM cards from the country you are in, giving you a local phone number and possibly making it cheaper to make international calls (Costello, 2009).
GSM phones can be bought through any wireless provider is the United States. Typically when one buys these phones, the SIM cards are locked so they only work with phones issued by your provider. One can “unlock” their phone so it can work with any SIM card, even SIM cards that are bought abroad (The Travel Insider, 2009). Every cell phone provider has different rules for unlocking their phone. Globally compatible phones through Verizon can be unlocked by calling the global customer service center to receive instructions on how to do it. There are also different companies that charge to unlock cell phones (Segan, 2006). (See Attachment 1).
Options for International Calling and Data
There are many different options to choose from when using a cell phone abroad. Some of these options include:
Using Your Own Cell Phone with an International Calling Plan
Most major U.S. phone companies give the option of choosing an international plan that can be used on an ongoing basis or intermittently (Costello, 2009). Each company has different plans for different prices that work with different phone models in different countries. “Major cell phone providers have coverage maps that show in which countries your network works (Costello, 2009). Switching to an international call plan can be pricey and can add extra roaming charges which are typically charged by the minute. (See Attachment 2).
Renting a Cell Phone
The option of renting an international cell phone is also available. The phone will have a local number to the country you are going to and can be rented online on sites such as CellularAbroad.com or TracelCell.com (Costello, 2009). (See Attachment 3). The rented phone can be very expensive and rates are required to be paid either daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the phone. Additional rates apply for calling minutes. Incoming calls to the rented phone will be cheaper than calling out, meaning there will be a minimum renting fee, even if the phone is never used (Costello, 2009). These phones might not have the capability to send and receive documents or email, so this might not be right choice for a business to use for employees traveling abroad.
Using Your Own Phone with an International SIM Card
If using a GSM compatible cell phone, SIM cards can be purchased in the country one is in. This gives all the benefits of having a local phone. It gives low costing calling rates and a local phone number without having to pay for an entirely new phone (Costello, 2009). Incoming calls are typically free and the minutes used are rechargeable. Depending on the country, calling to the United States might be expensive, but one has the benefit of using their own phone with their own email and ability to send and receive documents. An international data plan may be necessary to send and receive emails and use the internet, on top of paying for the local SIM card.
How Google Android and Google Voice Can Help Solve the International Calling Problem
Google Android is an open source mobile operating system that is owned by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. The Open Handset Alliance is “a consortium of 47 hardware, software, and telecom companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.” (Wikipedia, 2009). Being an open source, Android allows developers to write and manage code as they please. It also allows different networks to use the operating system, so no matter what network you are on, you can choose to have an Android phone. Being on almost every network in the United States helps businesses cut the costs they would incur if they had to switch to another network to take advantage of a phone with the Android operating system. Android gives businesses the ability to customize applications to help their business run more smoothly and make it easier to transfer documents and messages while someone is abroad. There are several applications already on the Android system that help increase communication overseas as a cheaper price.
Truphone
Truphone is one of these applications. Truphone for Android allows customers to make calls through “an all-in-one conversations hub that allows customers to take advantage of Truphone’s low international call rates” (Truphone, 2009). When using the Truphone application, the call goes through a GSM local phone call to the Truphone gateway where the phone call is then routed through the Truphone network. In addition, Truphone allows customers to make voice calls to Google Talk and Skype and also use instant messaging to talk to people across different networks (Truphone, 2009). This application is very practical for the international traveler who needs to communicate regularly with someone outside of the country.
Google Voice
Google Voice was created by two members of the Google Mobile team who needed a more practical way of using more than one phone at the same time. Some businesses require the use of a business phone and a personal phone. It is a hassle to deal with both of them, especially while traveling. Google Voice solves this problem by connecting every device with one phone number. It “brings voicemail transcriptions, the ability to call and text with your Voice number, and cheap international dialing to your mobile phone” (Google Mobile Blog, 2009).
Recommendations
It is important for clients of Proximity who operate in an international market to know that using a cell phone abroad is not always an easy process and it takes time and money to be able to do so. There are different choices businesses have to choose from in order to communicate with employees and clients abroad.
- Using your own cell phone with an international calling pla
- Renting a cell phone
- Using your own cell phone with an international SIM card
Some of these choices are better than others for businesses to be able to send and receive documents and information efficiently while abroad.Although Google Android is a new addition to the mobile sector, this report recommends that clients of Proximity who operate in an international market choose a cell phone that has this operating system. Even though businesses might have to go through some of the same steps to get these phones working abroad, phones with Google Android can help businesses cut costs and have the ability to send and receive documents easily overseas. Google Android gives business the ability to:
Google Android phones are new to the market but are capable of making cell phone use abroad much easier for businesses.
Attachment 1: Unlocking Shops
These are examples of companies that charge to unlock cell phones.
Attachment 2: Roaming Charges
Here are few examples of roaming charges per minute, by country, for VerizonWireless.
Attachment 3: Renting a Cell Phone
This is an example of a website that you can use to rent a cell phone.
References
Costello, C. (2009.) International Cell Phone Guide. IndependentTraveler.com. Retrieved November 18, 2009 from http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=552&category=3&page=2
CNET’s Quick Guide: World Phones. (2009.) Finding a global phone. CNET Reviews. Retrieved on November 19, 2009 from http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3504_7-6253284-2.html?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx
Entrepreneur. (2009.) Mobile Tech Statistics. Retrieved December 16, 2009 from http://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/businessstatistics/article82006.html
EPathChina Electronics Wholesale. (2009.) Cell Phones Working with GSM Network. Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://www.blog.epathchina.com/2009/07/26/cell-phones-working-with-gsm-network/
Google Mobile Blog. (2009.) Google Voice for Android and BlackBerry. Retrieved November 19, 2009 from http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-voice-for-android-and-blackberry.html
Howard Forums Your [Mobile Phone] Community Resource. (2009.) Marketplace.Howardforums.com. Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=63
National Geographic. (2009.) National Geographic Talk Abroad Solutions. Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://www.cellularabroad.com/
Segan, S. (2006.) How to Unlock Your Cell Phone. FoxNews.com. Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,235602,00.html
The Travel Insider. (2009.) GSM Cell Phone Unlocking FAQ Information and Answers. Retrieved November 18, 2009 from http://thetravelinsider.info/roadwarriorcontent/unlockingfaq.htm
Truphone. (2009.) Truphone Launches All-New Version of Android App. Retrieved November 19, 2009 from http://www.truphone.com/pdf/Sept29_truphone_android_upgrade.pdf
Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. (2009.) Android (operating system). Retrieved November 19, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29
Verizon Wireless. (2009.) Global Phone. Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Phone/plans_coverage.html